Textile apparatus



May 14 1968 l 1. P. DAvlEs 3,382,661

TEXT ILE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l `55]' 55 /292 26 j l @i ,2g 2f /5 225 jij May 14, 1968 y J. P. oAvlEs 3,382,661

' TEXTILE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3o, 1967 2 sheets-sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,382,661 TEXTILE APPARATUS .lohn Peter Davies, Marple, England, assigner to Ernest Scragg & Sons Limited Filed Jan. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 612,689 16 Claims. (Cl. 57-105) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drive arrangement for driving rotary spindles of a textile machine or the like, includes a support. A spindle mounted for rotation on the support. An endless belt is trained around the spindle. A belt engaging structure is provided and engages the belt. The structure is mounted for biased flexural movement from an operative first position in which the belt is tight and transmits motion to the spindle, to an inoperative second position in which the belt is slackened and can slip with reference to the spindle or the belt-engaging structure. The belt-engaging structure includes a portion which is arranged to frictionally engage the spindle for positively stopping rotation thereof when the belt-engaging structure is in the second position. Actuating means is associated with the belt-engaging structure for moving the same to the first position.

This invention relates to tape drive mechanisms for spindles of textile machines, the spindles of which are arranged in at least one row lengthwise of the machine, and in which one or a small number of spindles are driven by a tape from a driving pulley on a driving shaft extending along the row of spindles. Such a mechanism will be called a tape drive mechanism of the type described.

In one such known mechanism, there is associated with each spindle a driving pulley, a first idler pulley mounted close to the driving pulley, but on an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of the driving'pulley, and a second idler pulley mounted below the driving pulley on an axis at right angles to the axis of the driving pulley and inclined to the axis of the spindle wharve. The tape passes around the driving and idler pulleys and the spindle wharve in such manner that it can be removed without dismantling any part of the mechanism. A tape drive mechanism of the type described can also have associated with it braking means for the spindle.

The invention comprises support means for at least one tape engaging element of a tape drive mechanism of the type described, comprising a iiexible support member adapted to support said element in said mechanism and capable of such fiexure that said element is capable of movement between a rst position in which said element tensions the tape for driving the spindle, and a second position in which the tape is slackened sufiiciently to permit slip over one or more of the driving and/or driven surfaces.

Said support member may comprise a strip-like member attached at one end to rigid structure carrying said tape engaging element, and adapted for attachment by its other end to fixed structure of the textile machine. Said strip-like member may be integral with said rigid structure. Said rigid structure and said strip-like member may comprise a steel pressing, which may be adapted for attachment to the spindle rail of the textile machine.

The support means may be adapted to support an idler pulley in a position close to the driving pulley but on an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of the driving pulley, and to be attached to the spindle rail of the textile machine so that the idler pulley can move, through flexure of the support member, towards and away from the spindie wharve. The support means may then be adapted to support a second idler pulley on an axis spaced a fixed distance from and at right angles to the axis of the first mentioned idler pulley, or may otherwise be adapted to support a second idler pulley on an axis spaced a fixed distance from and at right angles to the axis of the driving pulley.

The support means may be adapted to support an idler pulley on an axis at right angles to and spaced a fixed distance from the axis of the driving pulley, and to be attached to the spindle rail of the textile machine so that said idler pulley can move, through tlexure of the support member, towards and away from the driving pulley.

The invention also comprises a tape drive mechanism of the type described, comprising support means as above described and at least one tape engaging element supported thereby. Said tape engaging element may comprise an idler pulley.

The tape drive mechanism may be adapted so that said tape engaging element can be biased towards its said second position in which the tape is slackened. While said tape engaging element is in its said iirst positions, or between said irst and second positions, said support member may be under stress and so bias said tape engaging element towards said second position. The mechanism may otherwise comprise spring or like resilient biasing means connectablc to act between said support means and fixed structure of the textile machine.

The tape drive mechanism may comprise locating means by which said tape engaging element can be located in each of said first and second positions. Said locating means may comprise a cam plate and follower adapted for manual or pedal operation.

The invention also comprises a tape engaging element and connected spindle brake operating means adapted for inclusion in a tape drive `mechanism of the type described so that the brake operating means is capable of movement between a first, non-operative position and a second, operative position, and the tape engaging element is capable of corresponding movement between a first position in which it tensions the tape for driving a spindle, and a second position in which the tape is slackened sufliciently to permit slip over one or more of the driving and/or driven surfaces.

The invention also comprises support means as above described or a tape drive mechanism as above described comprising spindle brake operating means capable of movement between a first, non-operative position corresponding to the first said position of the said tape engaging element, and a second, operative position corresponding to the second said position of the said tape engaging element.

The invention also comprises such a tape driving mechanism comprising a spindle brake operated by said brake operating means. The brake may comprise a friction member adapted, in its operating position, to contact the spindle wharve.

The invention also comprises a spinning or twisting machine comprising support -means and/or tape driving mechanism as above described.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l illustrates a short section of spindle rail fitted with tape driving mechanism according to the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE l,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of another form of mechanism, and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of another form of mechanism.

The short section of spinning or twisting machine i1- lustrated in FIGURE l shows a supporting leg 10` supporting two spindle rails 11 extending lengthwise of the machine one on each side of the centre line CL. Each spindle rail 11 carries a plurality of spindle structures each having a spindle 12 provided with a wharve 13, the spindles being mounted in the upper flange 14 of the spindle rail 11, the bolster 15 being secured to the upper iiange 14 and extending therefrom towards the lower flange 16. Extending lengthwise of the machine adjacent the upper fiange 14 is a driving shaft 17 carrying driving pulleys 1S each located near a spindle to be driven.

All the figures illustrate support means or belt engaging structures 21 for at least one tape engaging element of a tape drive mechanism of the type described, comprising a exible support member 22 adapted to support said element in said mechanism and capable of such flexure that said element is capable of movement between a first position (illustrated in solid in FIGURES 2 to 4) in which said element tensions the tape 23 for driving the spindle 12, and a second position (illustrated in dashed lines) in which the tape 23 is slackened sufficiently to permit to slip over one or more of the driving and/ or driven surfaces.

The support member 22 comprises in each case a striplike member attached at one end 22a to rigid structure 20 carrying said tape engaging element, and adapted for attachment by its other end 2219 to fixed structure of the textile machine.

FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 illustrate support means supporting an idler pulley 24 in a position close to the driving pulley 18 but on an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of the driving pulley 1S, and attached to the spindle rail 11 so that the idler pulley 24 can move, through exure of the support member 22 towards and away from the spindle wharve 13. FIGURES l and 2 illustrate support means supporting a second idler pulley 25 on an axis spaced a fixed distance from and at right angles to the axis of the first mentioned idler pulley 24. FIGURE 4 illustrates support means supporting a second idler pulley 26 spaced a fixed distance from and at right angles to the axis of the driving pulley 18.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an arrangement in which an idler pulley 27 is mounted on the shaft 17 adjacent the driving pulley 18 and the support means supports a further idler pulley ZS on an axis at right angles to and spaced a ixed distance from the axis of the driving pulley 18, and is attached to the spindle rail 11 so that the idler pulley 2S can move, through iiexure of the support member 22, towards and away from the driving pulleyv 18.

Thus FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate an arrangement in which the support means supports two idler pulleys, and FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate arrangements in which the support means supports only one idler pulley.

All the figures illustrate tape drive mechanism in which the movable tape engaging element can be biassed towards the position in which the tape is slackened.

In the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, while the idler pulleys 28 and 24 respectively are in their first positions, or between their first and second positions, the support members 22 are under stress and so bias lthe respective tape engaging elements towards their second positions.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate apparatus in which the mechanism comprises a spring 29 which acts between the rigid structure 2t) and the spindle rail 111.

All the figures illustrate locating or actuating means comprising a cam plate 31 rigidly attached to the rigid structure 20 and a follower comprising a roller 32 attached to a rod 33 supported in bearings 34 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) attached to the spindle rail 11, for pedal operation. The rod 33 carries a pedal 35, and catch means or arresting means (not illustrated) by which it is locked in a position in which the belt is either in driving engagement or slipping.

All the figures illustrate a spindle brake 36 which acts on the wharve 13. The operating means for the brake 36 is a part or extension of the rigid structure 2f)v in FIG- URES 1, 2 and 4, and, in FIGURE 3, is a rod 36a pivotally connected to the structure 20 and sliding in a bearing 36b on the rail 11. When the tape engaging elements 24, 25, or 28 or 26 are in their first, or driving position, the brake 36 is non-operative, lbut When the said tape enga-ging elements are in their second position in which the tape 23 is slackened suiiiciently to permit slip over one or more of the driving and/ or driven surfaces, the brake 36 is operative. The brake 36 comprises a friction member which, in its operating position, contacts the spindle wharve 13.

What is claimed is:

1. A drive arrangement, particularly for driving rotary spindles of a textile machine, comprising, in combination, support means; a spindle structure mounted for rotation on said support means; endless belt means trained around said spindle structure; a belt engaging structure operative for drivingly engaging said belt means and being mounted for biased flexural movement from an operative lrst position in which said belt means is in tight motion-transmitting engagement with both of said structures, to an inoperative second position in which said belt means is slackened for slipping movement with reference to at least one of said structures, said belt engaging structure comprising a portion arranged to frictionally engage said spindle structure for positively stopping rotation of the same when said belt engaging structure is in said second position; and actuating means associated with said Ibelt engaging structure and operative for moving the same to said first position.

2. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said belt engaging structure comprises a tiexible mounting portion connected to said support means for mounting said belt engaging structure for said flexural movement.

3. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting portion is a strip-shaped portion having a free end connected to said support means.

4. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said belt engaging structure comprises a rigid carrying portion and pulley means mounted on said carrying portion and carried thereby.

5. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 4, wherein said strip-shaped mounting portion is integral with said carrying portion.

6. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said portions comprise a pressing of metallic material.

7. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein at least said mounting portion consists of metallic material.

8. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein at least said mounting portion consists of steel.

9. A drive arrangement as deiined in claim 4, wherein said pulley means comprises an idler pulley mounted on said carrying portion for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of the direction of movement of said belt engaging structure and spaced from said spindle structure; said drive arrangement further comprising a driving pulley mounted for rotation about a second axis extending substantially parallel to said iirst axis.

10. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said pulley means comprises an additional idler pulley mounted on said carrying portion for rotation about a third axis spaced from and extending substantially normal to, said first axis.

11. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said pulley means comprises an additional idler pulley mounted on said carrying portion for rotation about a third axis spaced from and extending substantially normal to, said second axis.

12. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 1; and further comprising biasing means permanently tending to bias said belt engaging structure to said second position;

13. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein said biasing means is a contraction spring having opposite ends respectively secured to said support means and said belt engaging structure and being tensioned when the latter is in said rst position thereof, so as to thereby tend to contract and urge said belt engaging structure to said second position.

14. A drive arrangement as dened in claim 3, wherein said strip-shaped mounting portion is flexible between a rst and a second operative position in which said belt engaging structure respectively is located in said first and second positions thereof, said mounting portion having a permanent tendency to assume said second operative position and thereby tending to bias said belt engaging structure to said second position thereof.

1S. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 1 and further comprising arresting means for arresting said belt engaging structure at the will of a user in at least said rst position.

16. A drive arrangement as defined in claim 15, wherein said arresting means comprises cam means operatively associated with said belt engaging structure, and cooperating cam-follower means adapted to cooperate with said cam means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner. W. H. SCHROEDER, Assistant Examiner. 

